Last Saturday I flew to Pula, Croatia (from Augsburg, Germany).
I crossed the Alps at FL160 in my 1964 M20E and had a smooth ride. When I passed through FL080 during the approach, the "bora" started to hit me. The "Bora" is a "mountain wind" in the Adriatic region. I landed on 09 in Pula. A nice long (10,000´) and wide (150´) runway - so plenty of room. When I landed the wind was from 04 at 25knots gusting to 33knots; so a 19-25knot crosswind.
I only have about 150hours in the Mooney and it was the strongest crosswind I encountered yet. I was "tense and focused" and was concerned if I was about to exceed my limits. I know my POH has 15knots as max "demonstrated". The landing went well. When I took off the wind was not much better. Even when I was flying about 100mph, the stall warning was going due to the gusts (both on approach and departure).
I was "extremely tense", but confident in what I was doing.
I had one passenger, who is also a pilot. If I would have had a "non-pilot"/"nervous passenger" - I would have diverted to another airport.
I would like to hear what others have flown in crosswind wise?
Was this "foolish" of me? Or is that a normal part of "testing limits"?